1. Getting Started with 3D Printing

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is the process of transforming a digital 3D model into an actual 3D object. By laying down layer upon layer of ABS (the plastic found in Legos) or PLA (an eco friendly plastic) filament, Bukobot translates the 3D model, from digital files available on the web or created with 3D software, into a tangible, 3D object.

Additive manufacturing has been around since the 1980s, but, in the past, was used mostly by engineers and designers for prototyping purposes, before relying on traditional manufacturing techniques, such as injection molding, for the mass production of their designs. Recently, however, 3D printers have become more affordable for small businesses and consumers thanks to independent hobbyists. The community behind theRepRap open source 3D printer, in particular, fueled this growing trend by allowing the designs of the RepRap to be available online for free, promoting shared innovation and improvement of printer designs.

1.1 What's Included

Bukito 3d printer

Power supply

Power cable

PLA and Nylon filament samples

Mini USB cable

Kit Assembly Instructions

Do you have an unassembled Bukito Kit? Download the full assembly instructions here.

Step-by-step instructions for configuring Cura:

Enable the Pronterface Ui here as well as disable the update request each time you start the program

Click here to open profile. Important to get our settings for our printers

Select the profile you want to use

Toggle between the different view modes. the most used here are the Layers and Normal

This is how you get your gcode from cura, To the left is a button for loading your 3d model

When you want to print multiple items on the platform, This one is handy to enable

1.3 Optional Software (for Printing Via USB)

This section is only required if you plan to print directly from your computer. The following drivers and software is not needed for printing with a microSD card.

1.3.1 Installing Drivers

First download and install the Arduino software v1.6.6 from Arduino.cc.

Next, download and install the Teensyduino software from PJRC.com. Install in the Arduino folder. If the “Next” button is greyed out during install, first make sure that the Arduino version is supported by the Teensyduino version, and then make sure that you are selecting the correct folder.

For both cases make sure to install the one that is right for your operating system and follow their online instructions. Also as a good practice, anytime you install drivers it is also a good idea to then restart your machine.

Both of these drivers need to be installed if you are planning on using Repetier Host.

1.3.2 Installing Host Software

Preferred Host Software: Repetier Host

The printer Settings button is in the top right and looks like gears, click this only to set up the printer or connect to a new printer.

Your port will most likely be a different COM # (on windows) or usb-Bukito# (on MAC)
Make sure baud rate is 250000, and if there is a “Reset on Connect” option, disable it. Make your fields match the ones in the above image.

This one just match the settings, nothing too crazy to note

Same for this. Extruder settings

This one is for telling Repetier the dimensions of your Bukito. Since we do our slicing in Cura, it isn’t as important as it used to be. Just match the image

Nothing is changed on this tab from default

The top left button is what you press to connect ONLY AFTER installing drivers and going through setup. The next button is how we will load the Gcode files from Cura.
One cool thing to note is that the Temperature Curve tab allows you to monitor the temperatures in real time. great for getting feedback from the current print.

This is the Manual Control menu on the Windows OS. If curious what any button does, just hover your mouse over it for info. One quick note: the Stop Motors button is the second button just below the large circle with 4 triangles. (used to diengage a motor so you can manually move that axis)
. Also the Mac UI is a bit more blocky but works just as well.

2. Using the Bukito

2.1. Controlling the Printer

There are a few options for controlling the printer. When drivers are installed and everything is connected, it is possible to print directly from Cura by left clicking the same button we used to save the Gcode (once again only when everything is installed and connected).

There is the Repetier Host option. We primarily use this to run a print directly from the computer. We also use this when we want to “jog” the axis or preheat the nozzle for a “nylon clean.”

2.2. Loading Filament

Pull the white tensioner lever (the 3D printed part with the drive gear coming out of it) while feeding the filament through the hole in the tensioner lever. It may help to brace your thumb against the Z axis beam for pulling the lever

Push the filament through the bowden tube and into the Push To Connect (PTC) fixture as far as it goes

You can also use the Tatsu Drive Gear to push the filament through once it is started

2.3. Removing Filament

While pulling the tensioner lever, pull the filament out. This works best when the printer extruder is still hot.

If the filament does not come out, heat the extruder, which can be done by initiating a print. Before it starts printing, pull the lever while pulling the filament. The warm filament should now come out.

2.4. Powering on the Printer

Plug black cord from outlet into the power supply

Plug 4 pin plug from power supply into Bukito

Flip rocker switch next to connector to the ON position. When it is on, you will hear a quiet buzzing as the controller and fans turn on.

2.5. Platform Adhesion

The 3M blue painters tape is ideal for printing the PLA and PETT prints. Do not remove unless it has ripped or has been worn out. If the tape is ripped, clean off the existing tape and re-tape.

2.6. Leveling the Platform

There are two methods of leveling your platform.

1) Manually:

While the power is off, manually move the extruder and/or the platform so that the nozzle is over the front two corners and the back middle of the platform.

At each of those three locations, adjust the height of the platform using the thumbscrews so that you can get a piece of paper between the bed and the nozzle.

Adjust so that you can feel the scratching of the nozzle as you move the paper back and forth, and then tighten the thumbscrew (lowering the platform) a half turn.

2) Using Repetier Host and your computer

Before platform leveling can occur, make sure that the platform is lowered to be just above the Y-motor in the back of the Bukito. This will ensure that you don’t scrape the nozzle on the platform.

After both drivers (Arduino and Teensyduino) have been successfully installed, connect the Bukito to your computer with the mini USB cord. Open Repetier Host, and press Connect to connect the Bukito to Repetier Host. Home the Z axis, the Y axis and the X axis.

Download the Bukito Tram Test Code. In Repetier Host, open the gcode you have just downloaded. You can now Run the gcode and it will assist you in leveling your platform as well as perform a small print so that you can test to make sure you set up everything correctly. Make sure that you have filament ready to go and installed correctly into the extruder before running the program.

Adjust thumbwheel and slide paper between the nozzle tip and the platform until the paper just slightly catches.

On the first round of tramming, it is good for the paper to not get caught at all on the piece of paper. Remember that each time one wheel is adjusted you will have to check the other two again to ensure that the machine is “Tram” because affecting one will affect the other two. Check each spot at least twice, but three is recommended.

The two pieces that print out should fit snugly together and rotate, and their arms should be at right angles to each other.

3. Slicing

3.1. Slicing with Cura

Open Cura

Tweak settings if you like (Any changes you make will be the same if you close and open Cura)

Save settings you like and feel free to share them on our forums

If your SD card is inserted into your computer, an SD card icon will appear in Cura. Click the icon to save the gcode to the SD card

If you don’t have an SD card inserted, the icon will be a floppy disk image, click this icon to save the gcode to somewhere on your computer

4. Printing

4.1. Printing from USB

Plug in USB

Open preferred host software (we recommend Repetier Host)

Make sure you have the proper setting for your preferred host software

Load your Gcode into your preferred host software

Connect using preferred host software

Choose the “Print/Run” option for your preferred host software

Watch your 3d printer 3d print your 3d print

4.2. Printing from SD Card

Plug SD card into your computer

Save Gcode onto SD card

Rename Gcode file to: auto0.g

Make sure the extension is .g and not .gcode (for mac right click > Get Info > Name & Extension > verify that file is named auto0.g)

Insert SD card into SD card slot on your Bukito

Turn on your Bukito. Alternatively, if Bukito is already on, push the blue reset button on the front of the controller board

Your print will then start

4.3. Removing Objects From Platform

Remove gently with a spatula from platform. When sliding the spatula underneath, make sure it’s flat with the bed.

Lifting from a corner is best

If the 3d print is really stuck to the build platform try lightly tapping the 3d model with the handle of your of your spatula

5. Materials and Printing Temperatures

For each material there are certain ranges for temperature and speed that are recommended. These recommendations are usually supplied by the filament manufacturer and are often on the filament packaging

You can start printing with the starter setting we provide on this page

To get the best prints we suggest testing out various settings based on the starter settings we provide

Try using a small quick print for your testing purposes

6. Maintenance Tips

Keep out of dusty areas

When not in use, apply dust cover

If dusty use compressed air dust remover to remove the dust

Re-tram the build platform every once in awhile

Check the tension on the X and Y synchromesh cables. Make sure the cables are nice and tight

Make sure the Z threaded rod, 5mm ball bearing and motor shaft are all in line and touching.

If your 3m blue painters tape by Scotch brand is tearing or worn out replace with new strips

Make sure there is no wobble on the X, Y or Z carriage (might need to tighten down the screws holding the wheels)

Perform Nylon pulls to keep Nozzle clear of clogs

Check that the grub screws on the X and Y Sychromech pulleys and the extruder drive gear are tight

Check that the nuts holding the platform screws are tight against the platform (not the screws in the acrylic thumbwheels.)